LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF

Photo credit: http://zoorescue.blogspot.com

No, not that kind of introduction—I know it’s cute, but there is also another type of introduction that is not so wonderful. It’s called the introduction of species or, as it’s sometimes called—the introduction of alien species, or even the introduction of exotic species. It doesn't matter how you say it. The bottom line is that the introduction of non-native species into a habitat in which they would not otherwise exist can be a serious problem. The introduction of species is not limited to animals. It can include plants, fungi and microorganisms as well.

Fungi

Microorganisms

Fragrant Water Lily

I think it’s only fair to say that not all introductions of alien species are bad. Take corn for example. Did you know that corn is not native to the United States? That’s saying a lot because the U.S. is the world’s largest supplier of corn. Native Indians, in the highlands of Mexico, cultivated corn hundreds of years ago. As the Indians traveled north, they took corn with them. That was a good thing. What would we do without corn flakes? To read more about corn and its history, go to this site: http://www.campsilos.org/mod3/index.shtml

Image credit: Campsilos.org

There are a number of other examples, which include cultivation of various plants for either beauty or food. The bottom line is that with the advent of worldwide transportation, i.e., boats, planes, trains, etc., the transfer of species from their natural habitat into an ecosystem where they don’t belong can cause tremendous damage.

Australia is a microcosm (a community, place, or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristic qualities or features of something much larger) for the study of the effect of the introduction of alien species. Feral species, which are domesticated animals that have escaped and live in the wild, have done tremendous damage to the Australian outback. The domestic cat is not native to Australia and after its introduction, it depleted some of Australia’s native marsupials. The camel was brought to Australia and was initially beneficial in developing the central desert, making it habitable for humans. However, after their job was done, the camels were set free and are now roaming wild in the Australian outback. Australia more camels than any other country-more than one million. They have caused problems for farmers because they damage the farms and the water holes, which are meant for cattle.

Feral Cat

Another troublemaker is the cane toad. It was brought to Queensland, Australia, in an effort to control a specific beetle that was harming crops. This was back in 1935, and since that time, the cane toad population has boomed because it has no natural enemies. The result has had a devastating effect on Australia’s natural inhabitants. Certain species of quoll, a small marsupial, are critically endangered because of the toad’s toxic venom.

Photo Credit: Tim Wimbourne, Reuters

The introduction of alien species into a habitat, which they would otherwise not live, is a huge subject. The pros, cons and repercussions of their effect on native wildlife and ecosystems cannot be completely covered here. What I have tried to do is give you a bit of information, encapsulate some of the large issues and provide some connections where you can go to learn more.

This video is excellent in terms of its explanation of invasive species. I highly recommend you watch it if you want to understand fully what these introductions are and what they mean to people, who by the way, are also an invasive species.

Although there are many positive aspects of the introduction of species, it is still one of the major causes of endangerment. Understanding what works and what doesn’t is essential if we are to preserve wildlife; plant, animal, and other, in their natural environment.

For more information on the introduction of alien species, visit these sites:

https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Invasive-Species.aspx

http://www.actionbioscience.org/biodiversity/simberloff.html

http://www.wildmadagascar.org/kids/02-geography.html

http://www.onekind.org/education/top_10_lists/longestliving/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-15/can-toad-sausages-trialled-in-wa/3732836

I hope you have enjoyed this week’s post and will considering coming back again next week. Please share my post and feel free to leave a comment.

Enjoy!

Jeanne E. Rogers, Award Winning Author

The Sword of Demelza and The Gift of Sunderland

Middle-Grade Fantasy Where Endangered Animal Heroes Roam the Pages! 

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

THE QUOLL OF OZ

 This week, let’s take a trip down under and visit the Quoll.

There are four species of Quoll in Australia, and according to the IUCN*, all of them are threatened. The Northern Quoll, pictured above, is the smallest of all the Quolls. It is ‘endangered.’ The Eastern Quoll, the Western Quoll, and the Spotted-Tailed Quoll, also known as the Tiger Quoll, are all ‘near threatened.’

They are very interesting looking creatures. You might say they are a cross between a rat and a cat.

CUTE...

NOT SO CUTE…

The Quoll is actually considered one of the most ferocious critters in Australia and the largest carnivorous marsupial. These small mammals are capable of tearing flesh from its prey and crushing invertebrates.

Although quolls can climb trees, they prefer to stay on the ground.

Light brown with white spots that travel down their backs and tails, the quoll can occasionally be found basking in the sun after a cold spell. Although this solitary animal is considered a carnivore, it will eat fruit and grass. They hunt at night for small mammals and reptiles, as well as tasty insects.  Their pink nose and rounded ears soften their appearance, but don’t be fooled—it's a top predator.

Tiger Quoll (Spotted quoll) photographed in Caversham Wildlife Park, north of Perth, WA

As we’ve said, the Northern Quoll is the smallest of all the quoll species and it is also the most aggressive. It is endangered and the Australians have initiated a program which they feel will help to insure the survival of this species, and save it from local extinction. Threatened by the Cane Toad, which is an introduced species, the Northern Quoll is now being removed from its range. Australian researchers are moving the Northern Quoll from its current environment and placing the species on an island. There it will live without the threat of the poisonous toad. (Next week we’ll discuss introduced species, in particular, the Cane Toad, and its effect on the Australian environment.)

Tiger Quoll

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2998649/landowners-offered-cameras-to-protect-tiger-quoll/

This video will give you more information on those researchers who are working to save the Northern Quoll.

This video discusses the tiger quoll.

Habitat loss and predation by introduced species are major threats to quolls. Hopefully, the programs that have been put in place by the Australians will ensure the survival of this unusual marsupial.

The Quoll happens to be one of my favorite Australian animals. They feature prominently in my books, not just because of their unusual appearance, but it gives me the ability to introduce this unusual mammal to my readers. We can do something to save many endangered animals, but we must have the information and education in order to do so. Reading a great story can be educational as well as entertaining. 

*IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature

For more information about quolls, visit the following sites:

http://www.wildlife.org.au/wildlife/speciesprofile/mammals/northern_quoll.html

Tiger Quoll: http://www.arkive.org/spotted-tailed-quoll/dasyurus-maculatus/

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/quoll/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quoll

http://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/animals-plants/australia/nocturnal-house/northern-quoll/

Thank you for stopping by. I do hope you have learned something new and that you will be inspired to learn more.

Enjoy!

Jeanne E. Rogers, Award Winning Author

The Sword of Demelza and The Gift of Sunderland

Middle-Grade Fantasy Where Endangered Animal Heroes Roam the Pages!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

JUMPING JEHOSAPHAT! IT’S A RAT!

We can all relax. I’ve been told that it can only jump about three feet in the air. Wait a minute—any rat that’s jumping three feet up is a bit creepy, don’t you think? And if that’s not enough, he’s considered a giant rat. Our guest this week is confined to the island of Madagascar, so I don’t think we have a lot to worry about.

Meet the Malagasy Giant Jumping rat.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking it looks like a rabbit, and you’re right. This unusual rodent also has powerful hind legs like a rabbit, which allow it to jump.  Its back feet are larger than its front, similar to a kangaroo. Thankfully, it rarely uses its ability to jump except in cases where it is escaping a predator.

The Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat is the largest rodent on the island of Madagascar. It has short brown fur and its feet and underside are white. Its long tail is covered with dark stiff hair, and the tail helps the rat to balance, much in the same way that a kangaroo uses its tail.

Photo credit: tumblr.com

The Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat is primarily herbivorous. It goes out at dusk to feed on fallen fruit, seeds and leaves. It also digs for roots and tubers. During the day, the rat remains in its burrow. The entrance to the burrow is covered with debris to protect the rats from predators.

This unusual rat is monogamous, and since it only produces one or two offspring in a year, the rate at which the population increases is slow. It is vulnerable to habitat loss, and predation by dogs, which were introduced to the island. This rat is therefore considered endangered by the IUCN*.

There are two communities of rats, which have been separated by a village. As a result, the northern population has suffered and is in swift decline. The southern population is somewhat protected within the confines of the Kirindy Forest. However, according to edgeofexistence.org, those ‘populations are expected to continue to decline over the next 100 years even if further habitat decline and mortality by roaming dogs can be stopped.’

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=95

As with many other species we have discussed, this rodent is part of a bigger ecosystem. The Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat is an important food source for the Fossa, which is indigenous to Madagascar. The Fossa is the largest carnivore on Madagascar and its existence is vulnerable. The decline or extinction of one animal has a profound effect on the entire system. The Fossa is a keystone species, and therefore plays an important role in the ecosystem on Madagascar. Everything’s connected. We’ve said this many times before, but it doesn’t hurt to keep saying it, and to recognize how we are effecting our environment and therefore ourselves.

The Fossa - largest carnivore on Madagascar

Overpopulation of humans and deforestation and destruction of habitats are still the major cause of population decline for many animals. The Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat is one more animal that is threatened by human encroachment.

My thanks to ARKive for some of the pictures and information used in this post.

If you would like to learn more about the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat, visit the following sites:

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=95

http://www.arkive.org/malagasy-giant-rat/hypogeomys-antimena/

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/10714/0

http://www.waza.org/en/zoo/pick-a-picture/hypogeomys-antimena

Stop by again next week for a look at another unusual animal.

Enjoy!

Jeanne E. Rogers, Award Winning Author

The Sword of Demelza and The Gift of Sunderland

Middle-Grade Fantasy Where Endangered Animal Heroes Roam the Pages!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!